Behavioral aspects of Santa Inês sheep kept in pasture in a tropical rainforest climate

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate behavioral aspects of Santa Inês sheep in pasture in humid tropical climate. In order to do so, nine Santa Inês sheep were kept on pasture, exposed to the climate directly, without shade, for 24 days, with 12 alternate days in each period (dry and raining) in 2015. The behavioral parameters evaluated were: food consumption, standing idleness, lying idle and rumination. Observations occurred from 08:00 A.M. to 05:55 P.M. The experimental was a completely randomized design (CRD) with two treatments (rainy season and dry period), nine replications, one animal per experimental unit. To understand the correlations of the behavioral parameters with the climatic variables, Pearson's correlation was performed. Approximate average values between the rainy and dry periods for the behavioral variables were observed, but there was a greater intake in the volume of water in the dry period (9.59L/sheep). Also, there were significant differences in the behavior of the animals throughout the day. In the hottest time of the day, at 02:00 P.M., there was standing idle of 25.83min., lying idle of 1.21min., and spent less time-consuming food (27.08min.) in relation to other schedules. We concluded that the sheep had similar behavioral parameters in the rainy and dry periods, but when we observe the times of the days, the behaviors are different. The main activity recorded was grazing, and the variables, temperature and relative humidity of the air influence differently between the seasons, being more marked in the dry period.RESUMO: Este estudo objetivou avaliar aspectos comportamentais de ovinos Santa Inês criados em pasto em clima tropical úmido. Para tanto, foram utilizados nove carneiros Santa Inês, mantidos a pasto, expostos diretamente ao clima, sem sombra, durante 24 dias, sendo 12 dias alternados em cada período (seco e chuvoso) em 2015. Os parâmetros comportamentais avaliados foram consumo de alimento, ócio em pé, ócio deitado e ruminação. As observações ocorreram das 08:00h às 17h:55min. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado (DIC) com dois tratamentos (período chuvoso e período seco), nove repetições, um animal por unidade experimental. Para entender as correlações dos parâmetros comportamentais com as variáveis climáticas foi realizada a correlação de Pearson. Foram observados valores médios gerais aproximados entre os períodos chuvoso e seco para as variáveis comportamentais, porém, houve maior ingestão no volume de água no período seco (9,59L/ovino). Também, ocorreu diferença no comportamento dos animais ao longo do dia. No horário mais quente do dia, das 14h às 15h, registrou-se ócio em pé de 25,83min. e ócio deitado de 1,21min., e os animais passaram menor tempo consumindo alimento (27,08min.) em relação aos demais horários. Podemos concluir que os ovinos apresentaram parâmetros comportamentais semelhantes nos períodos chuvoso e seco, porém, quando observamos os horários dos dias, os comportamentos são diferentes. A principal atividade registrada foi o pastejo. As var...

Nutrient Characterization and Mineral Composition of Aruana in a Silvopastoral System with Nitrogen Fertilization

“…Tropical forage quality and climatic conditions are limitations for productivity in animal production, affecting animal behavior and grazing [2]. The adoption of integrated systems, such as silvopastoral systems, and management techniques, such as targeted fertilizer application, can increase animal production under these conditions [3].…”